Junior forward Joe Shipp, who led Cal with in scoring with 14.8 points per game, was named the Golden Bears' Most Valuable Player at the team's annual banquet Thursday night at Haas Pavilion.

During the 2001-02 season, the 6-5 Shipp reach double figures 26 times in 32 games, including a career-high 31 points vs. Fresno State when he also set a school record with nine three-pointers. An honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection, Shipp ranked second on the squad in rebounding (4.7 rpg) and third in blocked shots (18). In March, he became the 31st player in school history to pass the 1,000-point barrier, and he will enter his senior season next fall with 1,034 points.

Cal completed the 2001-02 season with a 23-9 overall record and tied for second in the Pac-10 with a 12-6 mark. The Bears reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament's South Regional, defeating Penn before falling to Pittsburgh.